Which term refers to the measure of actions taken to protect people and infrastructure from hazards?

Risk mitigation is a crucial concept in disaster nursing and emergency management as it specifically focuses on the steps taken to reduce the risks associated with hazards and disasters. This includes activities and strategies designed to avoid or lessen the impact of these hazards on people, property, and infrastructure.

The aim of risk mitigation is long-term and involves assessing potential hazards, implementing safety measures, and building resilience within communities. For instance, this could involve enforcing building codes in flood-prone areas, creating community education programs about emergency preparedness, or implementing land-use planning that minimizes risk.

In contrast, disaster management encompasses a broader scope, including the planning, preparedness, response, and recovery phases following a disaster. Preparedness refers specifically to the measures taken to be ready for disasters when they occur, and emergency response focuses on the immediate actions taken to assist victims and manage the aftermath of a disaster. While all these aspects are vital in the context of disaster nursing and public health, risk mitigation distinctly emphasizes proactive strategies for reducing the potential impact of hazards before they occur.